Snowflakes drifted down, painting the world in pristine white.
The atmosphere was tense as Tang San charged forward with his Clear Sky Hammer, his killing intent palpable. Today marked his arrival at the Clear Sky Clan—his last hope in a continent that had long rejected him. His purpose? To "join" the clan… and to destroy Spirit Hall.
Public opinion of Tang San was divided, but most leaned toward disdain. After all, his family's history with soul beasts was complicated. Tang Hao and Ah Yin, Tang San and Xiao Wu—humans and soul beasts were natural enemies. Humans hunted soul beasts for their rings, while soul beasts despised humans for their indiscriminate slaughter.
Ah Yin and Xiao Wu were rare exceptions, but exceptions didn't change the rule.
"Clear Sky Hammer!" Tang Hu was the first to notice the hammer in Tang San's hand, his expression shifting to surprise.
"Clear Sky Hammer… So you must be Tang San," Tang Long called out.
Tang San didn't respond. Instead, his grip tightened on the hammer as he swung it toward Ye Hao with lethal force.
Ye Hao frowned, sensing the overwhelming bloodlust.
His killing intent is immense. It's only been half a year, but he's grown significantly stronger—his soul power must be between rank 62 and 64 now.
But Ye Hao wasn't one to stand idle. With a flash of dark light, an ancient hammer materialized in his hand—another Clear Sky Hammer.
This was all thanks to Qian Renxue. Her Angel Soul Bone's ability to mimic others was incredibly useful. Even Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's patriarch, had been fooled back in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
Ye Hao's current disguise showed a rank 65 soul master with two yellow, two purple, and two black rings. In truth, his real configuration was one yellow, two purple, two black, and two red, with his soul power at rank 77.
Breaking past rank 75 had been grueling—progress slowed to a crawl. Even after relentless training, he'd only advanced two ranks in half a year. Becoming a Titled Douluo was no easy feat.
CLANG—!
The two Clear Sky Hammers collided, sparks flying as the shockwave sent snowflakes spiraling into the air. The sunlight refracted through the icy mist, casting a prismatic glow over the battlefield.
Ye Hao stood firm, his expression grave as he studied Tang San. Compared to half a year ago, he had indeed matured.
That mark on his forehead…
A deep blue triangular sigil glowed faintly between Tang San's brows.
So he's obtained the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. No wonder he's stronger now.
With a slight exertion of force, Ye Hao's hammer overpowered Tang San's, pressing down toward his skull.
Tang San's instincts screamed in alarm—the sheer pressure from the hammer sent chills down his spine.
This guy's strength is at least on par with mine. As expected of the former world's number one clan.
He hastily retreated as Ye Hao's hammer slammed into the ground, kicking up a storm of snow and dust that coated Ye Hao in white powder.
"Hold it!" Tang Long stepped between them, halting the fight.
"Brother, you wield the Clear Sky Hammer—are you the Tang San that our aunt mentioned?" He eyed the cloaked figure warily.
Tang San lowered his hood, his voice icy. "That's me. And you are?"
Though the presence of the Clear Sky Hammer suggested they were clan members, he still demanded confirmation.
"I'm Tang Long, this is Tang Hu, and the one you just fought is Tang Yu," Tang Long introduced.
To prove their identities, Tang Long and Tang Hu summoned their own Clear Sky Hammers.
"I see…" Tang San nodded slightly, but his battle intent remained. His piercing gaze locked onto the three of them, making Tang Long and Tang Hu shiver involuntarily.
"Damn this freezing weather," they muttered, blaming the cold.
Little did they know, it wasn't the weather—it was Tang San's Slaughter Domain, radiating killing intent so thick it was almost tangible.
"The clan master sent us to escort you up the mountain. Now that you're here, let's go meet him," Tang Long explained.
But Tang San didn't move. Instead, he planted his hammer into the ground and demanded coldly:
"Earlier… did you insult me?"
Tang Long and Tang Hu paled, exchanging uneasy glances.
Damn, his ears are sharp!
"So that's why you attacked us?" Tang Hu asked.
"Exactly," Tang San confirmed, his grip tightening on his hammer as he glared at Ye Hao—disguised as "Tang Yu."
All three are Soul Emperors, but this 'Tang Yu' is on another level. He blocked my strike and countered effortlessly. Not someone to underestimate.
Realizing they'd been caught, Tang Long and Tang Hu reluctantly apologized.
Then Tang San turned to Ye Hao.
"What about you? Apologize." His voice was frigid. If not for his aunt's connection to the clan, he wouldn't have hesitated to kill them all.
Years of pent-up rage festered inside him, and he was itching for an outlet.
"Me?" Ye Hao pointed at himself, amused.
"What's so funny?" Tang San's eyes darkened as he raised his hammer.
"I'm laughing because I never said a word. What exactly am I apologizing for? Isn't that hilarious?" Ye Hao smirked, not even bothering to look at him.
Enraged, Tang San abandoned all restraint.
"DIE!"
He lunged, hammer aimed straight for Ye Hao's skull.
Tang Long and Tang Hu were stunned.
This guy's insane! Tang Yu didn't even speak, and he's trying to kill him?!
And worse—every swing was a fatal blow.
---
"Tang Long, Tang Hu, stay back. I'll handle him myself." Ye Hao grinned, tightening his grip on the Clear Sky Hammer. The hammer's surface glowed red-hot, as if forged in fire.
Tang San's fury boiled over. He raised his own hammer, launching into the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique. This arrogant Clear Sky Clan disciple needed to be taught a lesson.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The two hammers clashed, dark flashes of energy crackling between them.
Ye Hao could feel it—Tang San had grown stronger, likely due to the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. Each time Tang San swung his hammer, the blue triangular mark on his forehead pulsed with oceanic radiance.
"ARGH—!"
Blood dripped from Tang San's split palms.
"Such… brute strength!" He staggered, his right arm numb. Blue Silver Grass erupted around him, entangling Ye Hao like a cocoon.
"Still the same old tricks. Can't you come up with something new?" Ye Hao sighed inwardly.
Just then, Tang Long and Tang Hu moved.
Their Clear Sky Hammers materialized, six soul rings shimmering as they launched a coordinated assault.
In these dangerous times, with Spirit Hall lurking, the Clear Sky Clan had to stand united.
"Just like the rumors said—Tang San's as stubborn as a mule." Tang Hu's hammer descended, combining with the Disorder Splitting Wind technique to catch Tang San off-guard.
Tang San spat blood, his eyes dark with rage.
Tang Long flanked him, and within moments, the three had him surrounded.
"Three against one? Where's the honor in that?" Tang San sneered, though his confidence wavered.
"One against three, or three against one—take your pick." Ye Hao flashed a grin, teeth gleaming.
Then, without another word, they attacked.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Three hammers rained down, battering Tang San until he coughed blood. Their strikes were relentless, overwhelming even him.
"Damn… you!" Gritting his teeth, Tang San flicked his wrist, sending a flurry of throwing knives flying.
"Amateur hour." Ye Hao smirked.
The knives froze mid-air, slowed to a crawl.
It was his Sluggish Domain, a power granted by the Skygreen Bull Python's external head soul bone.
Tang San's eyes widened in disbelief.
How?!
Before he could react, Ye Hao closed the distance, fist crashing into his face.
CRACK!
Tang San's head snapped back, blood spraying.
Tang Long and Tang Hu, long fed up with his arrogance, joined in.
They'd already apologized, yet Tang San remained relentless. Worse, he'd demanded an apology from "Tang Yu," who hadn't even spoken a word.
Every strike Tang San had aimed was lethal.
Just like the rumors said—this guy was trouble.
"YOU FORCED ME TO DO THIS!" Tang San roared, the mark on his forehead flaring blue.
But Ye Hao was faster.
His right leg glowed as he clamped a hand over Tang San's skull, forcibly suppressing the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud's activation.
"Wha—?" Tang San's confusion lasted only a second before—
SMACK!
A resounding slap sent his head whipping to the side.
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
The barrage of blows left his face swollen, blood trickling from his lips.
Ye Hao finally paused, shaking out his stinging hand.
Tang San's cheeks bore five crimson handprints.
"You… you…" His eyes burned with murderous intent, the Slaughter Domain seething around him.
"Me? Me what?" Ye Hao leaned in. "From start to finish, did I ever insult you? Or are you just too stupid to tell our voices apart?"
He smirked. "I heard you love preaching about 'the path to death.' So tell me—do I qualify now?"
Tang San trembled with hatred.
Humiliated. Beaten. His face still throbbing.
"You'll pay for this," he seethed silently.
"Enough," Tang Long said. "The clan master and your aunt are waiting. Let's not keep them."
Tang Hu shot Tang San a disdainful look before turning away.
"Come on, 'death-deserving' one," Ye Hao taunted.
Tang San's entire body shook with rage. In that moment, his hatred for "Tang Yu" rivaled even his loathing for Ye Hao himself.
Another name added to the list.
The three strode ahead, leaving Tang San to stagger after them, wiping blood from his mouth.
The mountain path was treacherous—icy chains stretched over bottomless chasms, the howling wind threatening to tear them loose.
Tang Long and Tang Hu moved swiftly, soon leaving the other two behind.
Ye Hao walked calmly. With two 100,000-year leg soul bones, even a fall wouldn't faze him. The Blue Silver Emperor soul bone granted flight, after all.
Behind him, Tang San's lips curled into a sinister smile.
A throwing knife flashed in his hand.
THUNK!
The blade severed the chain's anchor.
"Shit—!" Ye Hao barely had time to react before the bridge gave way.
"This is what you get for crossing me," Tang San thought smugly, leaping for safety.
But just as his foot touched solid ground—
YOINK.
Ye Hao's hand clamped around his ankle.
"Knew you'd pull something like this," Ye Hao said, hauling himself up. "That's why I made sure to walk last."
He glanced at the abyss below, heart pounding. Anyone else would've been splattered on the rocks.
"Today, I'm going to break you so thoroughly, even your ancestors will feel it."
Cracking his knuckles, Ye Hao advanced.